Law and order was worse during AGP rule: Gogoi

Reacting to the demand for his resignation by AGP following serial blasts before LS polls,Gogoi claimed that the performance of Congress government in maintaining law and order was “much better” than AGP.

He claimed that during AGP’s rule from 1996 to 2001,a total of 2644 cases of violence happened with a yearly average of 528.

A total of 400 security personnel were killed with an yearly average of 80,while 1536 civilians lost their lives with a yearly average of 307.

However,during the eight year rule of Congress from 2001-09,3405 violent incidents occurred at an annual average of 425,he said.

A total of 226 security personnel were killed with an average of 28 per year,while 1592 civilians lost their lives at an yearly average of 199,chief minister claimed.

Gogoi alleged that Mahanta-led AGP regime indulged in “secret killing” (of ULFA kins) but “we have changed tactics in dealing with the militants.”

“BJP has electoral understanding with AGP which proves that the latter has approved of the innocent killings of ULFA ultras kins,” Gogoi added.

Terming the period from 1996-2001 when AGP was in power as “black days”,he said during the Congress regime,Army,police and other para military forces were put on high alert and many violent incidents were averted.

“At least 95 lethal Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) have been recovered recently which could have been fatal.

This shows the efficiency of the administration,” Chief Minister claimed.

He appealed to the people to cooperate with the government as police and army alone cannot contain militancy.

On poll prospects,he said AGP,BJP and Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) would fail to Congress in the polls.